Freight

Watco adds to management team

Aaron Coester has been named vice president, informa¬tion technology of Watco Companies, LLC. His responsibilities will include overseeing information technol¬ogy software and services related to RMI, WATSS and SAP.

Del Cueto addresses KCS

On February 15, KCS de Mexico director ejecutivo de operaciones Oscar Del Cueto and gerente de desarrollo de negocios internacionales Marco Cervantes attended BNamericas Mexico Infrastructure Summit in Mexico City.

Trains are operating again on P&N corridor

The first train in more than 20 years operated on the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s Piedmont & Northern Railroad corridor February 20, from Gastonia to Mount Holly, N.C. The train was operated by Patriot Rail, a freight shortline and regional railroad company based in Boca Raton, Fla., under a lease that has been signed with that company.

RITA launches U.S. DOT research hub website

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA) recently launched the U.S. DOT Research Hub website, a searchable database of the latest agency-sponsored research, development and technology projects.

UP to invest $200 million in South Louisiana

Union Pacific will invest $200 million in three projects across South Louisiana to expand operations, creating 225 new direct jobs, retaining 1,100 employees and creating 1,500 construction jobs.

TIFIA loan requests top $13 billion

The Department of Transportation received 26 TIFIA (Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act) letters of interest exceeding $13 billion. U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said that the overwhelming demand for TIFIA program loans has greatly exceeded the dollars available, underscoring President Obama’s call for greater transportation investment.

UP to put $17.1 million into Oregon, California infrastructure

Union Pacific is enhancing the California and Oregon transportation infrastructure by investing $6.5 million in its Kenton and Graham Lines in the Portland, Ore., metropolitan area and $10.6 million in the line that runs between Santa Barbara and Camarillo, Calif. The California project is in progress and is scheduled to be completed by the end of February.

USDOT proposed budget set at $74 billion

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today praised President Obama’s $74 billion budget for the U.S. Department of Transportation saying the funds will lay a new foundation for economic growth and competitiveness by investing in a national infrastructure network, building on recent safety achievements and modernizing transportation systems through research and innovation.